Are you for or against the rail strikes?

[TheJimi]

A while ago, in response to a post of mine, someone suggested I create a poll, so here it is.

If possible, can we avoid any arguments, and just let the poll do it's thing?

[anonymous-user]

I voted no for I'm not against them.

[Biggy Stardust]

If they can get better elsewhere then they should go. If not they should stop complaining.

[Flanders.]

I must admit I'm torn with regards to the Strikes in general. I think there many people worse off than Nurses and Rail Staff. However, I also think the economy has become to used to cheap labour and average jobs should be able to provide an average life style, by that I mean a 3 bed Semi detached House and a normal car with perhaps one overseas holiday a year and a couple of kids, a bit like my upbringing.


I'm in the fortunate enough position to earn a reasonable wage but you only have to see how many people are suffering and living day to day to realise something is wrong in this country.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I was priced off rail travel YEARS ago.

It's appalling. Higher wages etc would mean even higher fares. So no I'm against them. Sprinkling 'safety concerns along with their pay and overtime doesn't wash.


Just like years ago when the tube staff striked numerous times. I switched to how I commuted.

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Wednesday 4th January 17:16

[Countdown]

I'm against them

I think railway workers are already paid a fair wage.

[Boringvolvodriver]

Without getting into arguments- the strikes are not just about wages but other issues such as Driver only operation and closures of ticket offices.

If the RMT are to be believed (and I don’t believe either side) - the government have been subsidizing the train companies on strike days so they don’t lose out.

[gruffalo]

I don't know a single person who is in favour of the strikes.

Most people I Know would happily see them run driver free trains as works well on the DLR.

[mattyprice4004]

Flanders. said:

I must admit I'm torn with regards to the Strikes in general. I think there many people worse off than Nurses and Rail Staff. However, I also think the economy has become to used to cheap labour and average jobs should be able to provide an average life style, by that I mean a 3 bed Semi detached House and a normal car with perhaps one overseas holiday a year and a couple of kids, a bit like my upbringing.


I'm in the fortunate enough position to earn a reasonable wage but you only have to see how many people are suffering and living day to day to realise something is wrong in this country.

If we're talking UK average wage of £28k, two people earning that will be able to afford the things you mention as long as it's not within the M25 or in a 'boutique' town.

I've got several friends earning (very roughly) around that amount along with their partners, and none of them are particularly struggling. All own their own houses, and have between 1 and 4 kids.

[Louis Balfour]

sebdangerfield said:

I voted no for I'm not against them.

You should have read the options more carefully, then. "For" or "against" they were. Nice and simple. "No" didn't feature.

Anyway, as far as I can establish, I cancelled you out. Not because I have any particular view on whether they are fairly paid, I just don't like railway staff. It's very rare to see a good looking one, they are invariably miserable and not a single one that I have ever encountered had a uniform that fitted.

I harbour particular contempt for "Alison", a train manager on East Midlands Railway. I really didn't like her at all.

So, I am against the strikes. The whole horrid body of railway staff should be at work on the decrepit, dirty, trains. They deserve each other.

[valiant]

gruffalo said:

I don't know a single person who is in favour of the strikes.

Most people I Know would happily see them run driver free trains as works well on the DLR.

Clearly you’ve never used the DLR.

There’s a member of staff on board every train who takes over driver duties as and when needed alongside their other duties.

[gruffalo]

valiant said:

gruffalo said:

I don't know a single person who is in favour of the strikes.

Most people I Know would happily see them run driver free trains as works well on the DLR.

Clearly you’ve never used the DLR.

There’s a member of staff on board every train who takes over driver duties as and when needed alongside their other duties.

I regularly use the DLR.

Agreed there are other staff on the trains but not all trains.

[valiant]

gruffalo said:

I regularly use the DLR.

Agreed there are other staff on the trains but not all trains.

Nope, sorry but you’re wrong.

Every single train in passenger service MUST have a passenger service agent on board. No PSA, no train.

Edited by valiant on Wednesday 4th January 17:54

[Vanden Saab]

Can we have a don't care option.

[eccles]

Vanden Saab said:

Can we have a don't care option.

Definitely. A huge portion of the country never use trains.

[anonymous-user]

I support any strike action.

Freedom of demonstration and freedom to withhold labour are basic human rights.

[Gecko1978]

To be clear intil Sept 22 I had been self employed 14 years (thanks ir35) now work for a much bigger firm so employed. I support strikes and non violent or obstructive civil disobedience (so not gluing self to road).

We live in a country where the state and big business want to profit from your labour but not share the pie with you. So f that strike if its legal force the government to make a statement t maybe the answer will be no pay rose etc. Fine then no work either.

I wish on mass people would push back on high tax, a benefits culture, and state intervention but covid showed us that's never happening so here we are. Let Rishi etc hand on the workers unrest

[TheJimi]

Vanden Saab said:

Can we have a don't care option.

Done.

[Johnnytheboy]

I don't really care. I've used the trains a handful of times in the last twenty years.

[FourWheelDrift]

The UK has the highest paid train drivers in Europe, let me think......